“Mrs Undercover” review: Radhika Apte’s flick is a spy-comedy with a strong message

New Delhi: Mrs Undercover by Radhika Apte has the potential to be a hilarious spy-comedy with entertaining twists and a striking message. It is, however, a weak attempt at the narrative that falls flat. Mrs Undercover, written and directed by Anushree Mehta, follows a secret agent (Radhika) who is sent by the special forces to track down a renowned serial murderer.

She hesitantly accepts the case and soon enrols in a women’s empowerment programme. The remainder of the novel centres around her efforts to find the perpetrator and teach him a lesson for murdering innocent women.

Mrs Undercover seemed to be the ideal vehicle for Radhika. It allows her to develop her muscles, deliver forceful language, and even show off her comedic timing. All of this, however, is meaningless because the text is all over the place.

The film attempts to address multiple themes at once, ranging from adultery to the difficulties that a ‘just a housewife’ faces. This proves to be its worst flaw since none of the subplots is truly fleshed out. Furthermore, the majority of the characters are one-dimensional. Their backstories are never fully revealed, making it impossible to empathise with them. The filmmaker could have done a better job of creating the film’s universe.

Mrs Undercover is held together by Radhika Apte’s performance. She soars above the dull prose to make her presence known. She is at her most vulnerable in a pivotal sequence in which she discovers a devastating secret about her spouse. Her reactions effectively reflect her character’s nervousness when she first meets Rajesh. Radhika is equally adept in action scenes. Her honesty makes them feel more grounded. Mrs Undercover may have been a game changer for her if the packing had been up to par.